3. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Secretary of State for Air on what measurements the official definition of fog, as used in weather forecasts, is based; and what steps he is taking to alter the definition so as to be of greater value to the public who listen to such forecasts.
§ Mr. AmeryIn weather forecasts intended for the public, the Meteorological Office uses the expressions "fog" and "dense fog" when visibility is expected to be below 200 yards or 55 yards respectively.
Occasionally the term "slight fog" is used when visibility is expected to be between 200 and 1,100 yards.
These criteria have been in use for some years and are, I understand, in line with those used by the railways and the motoring organisations.
I am not aware of any general feeling that they should be altered.
Mr. Gresham CookeDoes not my right hon. Friend think it rather stupid to talk about fog when one can see up to 1,100 yards, the distance from Parliament Square to Nelson's Column? Ought not that, from the public point of view, to be brought down to about 500 yards, instead of 1,100 yards?
§ Mr. AmeryThis is "slight fog" and 1,100 yards when one is driving a fast car or a railway train is not really all that far.
§ Mr. LiptonWill the right hon. Gentleman resist any attempt to cook the figures he has just announced.